We’ve seen so many coaches jack it up before. Year after year, coaches fail to play their best line-ups the most minutes due to “fit” or “rotations” or “Kevin Garnett decides what the Timberwolves do.”

But Frank Vogel is quickly becoming my favorite coach. He kept the Pacers decent last year after a really disheartening second half and playoff exit in 13-14 plus losing Paul George, and last night he did the absolutely unthinkable – he played his best players as the starters. ANTI-SKIIIIIILES! Although Aaron Gordon is getting his run lately… Let’s go ANTI-BICKERSTAFFFFFFF!

Getting his first start at PF (and first start ever!) after playing virtually all his rookie minutes at center, Myles Turner got the nod at the 4 next toIan Mahinmi and went 20/6/1/0/1 on 9-17 shooting in 26 minutes. And the twin towers rotation worked sooooo well, with the Pacers up virtually the whole game and running away with it late. The Hawks reserves in the early 4th quarter made a nice run to take a 2-point lead with 6 minutes left 90-88, then Vogel went back to the same starting 5 and Indiana ended the game on a crazy hot 23-2 run. What a unit! Coach Butthole is like, “suck my unit!” When I made my original crazy rank for Turner in the pre-season, my love was based around his fit for the run-and-gun offense, and the crazy part is we still haven’t seen the perimeter game yet. He didn’t take any treys in this one, but there’s no reason to think this starting line-up doesn’t stick, which means more minutes for Turner and more opportunities on the perimeter. Hopefully you added him when Mahinmi was out and didn’t let go, because, well, NEVER LET GO JACK! I would totally have Myles take me in the steamy car in the cargo hold… Here’s what else went down in fantasy hoops last night:

Jeff Teague – It’s not a monstrous turnaround, but he’s gotten better. Just a nice, sensual reacharound. Well, some sort of “around”. 20/1/5/1/0 on 7-12 FG (2-2 3PTM 4-4 FT). 3 TO are blah, but for how bad it’s been you can’t complain. Dennis Schroder also got only 14 minutes – failed to mach schnell! No idea if I spelled that right, I ain’t fact checkin’ that…

Paul Millsap – Left with a sprained ankle. Ruh Roh. Luckily it seemed like more a tweak, so I’ll file this injury in the “purple nurple” category.

Monta Ellis – Nice return to form after a clunker, going 25/5/6/5/1 on 7-11 shooting including 5 treys. Sure the 3s might not be the most reliable, but he and Myles had a nice little pick-and-roll going on. There honestly isn’t a single person that isn’t in love with Myles Turner right now…

Paul George – …well, maybe PG13 isn’t the happiest… Obviously not the stretch 4 with Myles out there, and had a clunker at the 3. 11/3/3/1/0 with 2 TO on 2-11 shooting. PG13 might want to do some R rated things to Myles, which is actually a lot worse than the XXX things I want to…

Nikola Jokic – Another multi-cat beaut, and another holdback in minutes. 15/10/3/1/1, nary a TO, and shot 7-12 from the field. Gets rewarded with only 25 minutes. Criminal.

Jusuf Nurkic – And it’s not like Nurk is a big factor either, playing 16 minutes of blah. Jamba Juice using some rotten fruit!

Emmanuel Mudiay – It’s everyone’s favorite game! “WHERE! DID! MUDIAY! HURT YOU!!!!!” Used to be MCW’s game then Josh Smith, but now it’s Mudiay. 20/4/4/2/0? Nice! 7-14 FG for 50% shooting? Usable! 5-6 FT. Cha-ching! Butttttt, 4 TO! And I just found out – if you put the extra letters to stress a long pronunciation in your head while you read on the word “but”, it read differently…

John Wall – Poopy with his shot (5-17) and buttery with his fingers (4 TO), but rainbowed it up for 17/7/9/4/2. You would think Mudiay would be the one who hit the wall last night, but it looks like the Wizards are the one hitting a wall…

Garrett Temple – Makes me want to put a drill to my temple ala Pi, that’s for sure! I streamed him for the last game (8/1/0/0/0), then he goes ham for 20/5/3/1/0 and 5 treys against the Nugs last night. Bleh.

Otto Porter – Man, if you want a lesson – prospective NBA parents – don’t name your son with an old-man name. They are much more prone to old man injuries, like further hip soreness. Played 15 minutes, and just wasn’t good at all before exiting. Not a huge beneficiary out there, except it solidifies friggin’ Temple’s minutes for disheartening streams…

Ben McLemore – 26 points of “WHAT IN THE WORRRRRLD?!” Also a +15 in 31 minutes to a -24 for Marco Belinelli in 20 minutes. Yikes. How much does Karl want a consistent SG you wonder?!

Willie Cauley-Stein – So much for consistent minutes! 6/1/1/0/1 in only 15 minutes with Ryno going dyno… mite. A mtachup thing for me, I’m not too worried about it, unless you’re heavily relying on him in like a 10er…

Ryan Anderson – Speaking of Ryno, lit it up! God damn Fall out Boy song is in my head now, GET OUTTA HERE! 36/9/4/0/0 with 5 treys. Remember when the Kings were rumored they wanted to give Rudy Gay for him? Way to boost your trade stock so you don’t have to go to SAC, Ryno!

Norris Cole – Hmmmm, eyebrow raised… Maybe he does have to be in consideration for 12ers when Tyreke Evans is out… 17/7/10 in 38 minutes. Although I wonder how many assists were turned into immediate jump shots by Ryno…

Bryce Dejean-Jones – Who? Not only gets the start at the 2 rather than play Toney Douglas who had been playing well (only 9 minutes off the bench), BJ middle D (ewwww, that’s a bad nickname…) goes 14/2/2/2/1. He had 8 career minutes before this one, and while he shines as an attacker, he might not even be on the team when his 10-day is up. REL flier at best (20 team leagues).

Langston Galloway – Picks up the start with Jose Calderon also out (groin – ay caramba!), and goes a very boring 12/4/2. But does sneak in 2 blocks, had no TO, and shot 6-10. Metrics whore! I’m streaming him in a couple leagues while old man Calderon is on his siesta.

Jonas Valanciunas – 11/18 in his usual dose of only 28 minutes. The weird part is he shot 4-16. C’mon [formerly] Luminescent Lithuanian, Rolo is awful on D! Can’t be missing like that!

Jeff Green – Blasphemy! I streamed him in a league as a ThrAGNOF… And hey, it worked, with the terrible Green going 21/5/1 with 3 treys. His shade of Green is diarrhea.

Milwaukee Bucks – Speaking of, every one of them was terrible. Let’s get Joel Przybilla out of retirement!

Jimmy Butler – Dammit Buckets! I lean on you for 30 points, and you score 26 while handing out 10 dimes?! Be a ball hog, ya pansy!

Bobby Portis – Free Bobby P! That has a nice flow for a bumper sticker… 22 minutes for 4/7/1/2/0. Very meh in a Lakers matchup… Still not a guy I’m holding in redraft 12ers unless it’s more a stash spot if you’re cruising to the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers – I’m running behind this morning, so sticking with the Bucks analysis – they’re all terrible! Let’s get Kurt Rambis out of retirement…

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Ummmm, is he Wolverine?! Might make his debut tonight, shattering his… out-for-the-season timetable?! JFC, was the Hornets medical staff trained by the Pelicans?! He doesn’t have much upside, so I’m not going too nuts for him in 12ers. Deeper leagues than that might wanna scoop him up though.

I hope everyone is crushing it so far this week in their matchups, and are getting prepped for next weekend! Super Bowl baby! Just a warning – Monday Feb. 8th’s daily notes might be a little incoherent… Have a great weekend Razzball Nation!

Now I hope Myles Turner sticks and I have no doubt it’s their best lineup but they could also do the LaVoy-CJ Miles shuffle with him too depending on match-up. Atl being a 2-bigs lineup may have played into the start. I’m not dropping him just tempering expectations a bit. In other words don’t go selling the farm thinking there is some kind of guarantee here. He did only play 18 minutes the game before, and he still carries a fair amount of injury concern.

@JB Gilpin: before I fall in love with Frankie, I need to see him stick with this… Turner was 7-7 with 16 in 16 minutes in the 1st half and played Like 2 minutes in the 2nd half… I hope your right and they stick with him…. I will however give Larry Bird and the rest of the Pacers front office tremendous credit for constantly finding talent despite draft position and smart free agent moves… Outside of the George hill/Leonard trade, which wasn’t as bad as people make it out to have been bc the pacers had Danny granger and Paul George already with no point guard, they have done tremendous work…. I still don’t think they get the credit they deserve!

@Goodguy: Well sure, I’m not really banking on 30 MPG and a top-50 guy, just happy he’s getting minutes, getting shots, and getting the opportunity. The game you’re referencing was against the Clippers two games ago, so I think two straight starts and playing 40 minutes last night is what is so encouraging for me.

But yes, Pacers have done really well managerial wise lately! Imagine if they re-signed Hibbert. Yikes

@Slim: this is what the organization envisioned. The rotation you watched last night are going to become the norm when everyone is healthy. Plus Atlanta only had Millsap for the first half because he twisted his ankle. I watch Pacers games and i dont see anyone taking the 4 away from Turner.

I don’t see how he carries any extra injury concern, over players like Beal, Tyreke, etc.

@Bye Felica: yep those guys have a higher level of concern. But compared to the other big man rooks i would put Turner number 1 and its the reason he fell in the draft. He had that strange running motion, if i remember right he’s had leg issues in the not so distant past too. Plus he had the thumb not that long ago. I dont feel great about it…

Is Porter someone whom I would try to sell high on? in a 9 cat league. He has been a good piece on my team so far but if you think this is going to be more of a nagging injury should i explore my options?

In a 10 team shallow league standard 9 cat. The other team has had injuries and doesn’t have too much depth so may be able to convince him there. Also would ideally like to open a streaming spot. Do you like these proposals/fairness? It’s near impossible to trade. (My player is listed first)

@miles proudfoot: Hah yessir! Both are certainly more than fair. I like starting with both of those and would do it with Whiteside, probably prefer 1 tbh. 3 – Eeeeesh, not looking good from a report this afternoon. Cut

picked up Wes Johnson (LAL tonight) as I need 3’s but I also need pretty much every other cat in my 10 cat (OREB) save for punting FT. Who would I sit to get Johnson in? Olynyk (ORL), Capela (@OKC), Archie Goodwin (@NY), Marv Williams (@POR), Aaron Gordon (@BOS)

That DeAndre Jordan for Myles Turner and Aaron Gordon I mentioned on the other thread is still on the table. Even though it’s a punt FT build he’s not a perrrrfect fit as I usually win the big categories anyway, but maybe I can deal Gobert for a guard or wing.

Well he shot one 3 pointer but his foot was on the line and he airballed a couple from top of the key. I think he was nervous out there for a bit. I’m definitely pumped for our future. We have a great organization and we are close to being one of the best teams in the east.

@Bye Felica: Ikr? The injury reports don’t help either. They always be like “Tyreke Evans is suffering from soreness due to tendinitis and is doubtful to play tonight.”

And of course he’ll play 35 minutes and put up something like 20 points with 6 asts+rbds later that night. I saw a headline suggesting that the Pels might give him the “Jrue” treatment with a minutes limit?

@Ryan: Hah yeah we’ve talked on twitter, I just don’t think you can. I’ve been very anti-Reke in ranks due to injury concerns, but like you said, he comes outta nowhere with huge lines and minutes after several lingering things

@JB Gilpin: i know bro, I just wish they would IR his ass, let him get better or he gets hurt ROS so i can drop him. If this continues in the fantasy playoffs im cutting him for a gary harris type of guy. I really dont need his assists or 3’s because I’m dominating those cats already. My PG/SG situation is DEEEPPPP
Tyreke
Rubio
Lowry
Beard
Conley
Dipo
Ish
Goodwin
Crowder
Gallo
Ariza
Covington
Rudy G
Myles
Gortat
Jonas V

I have a championship team already with or without Tyreke correct? Lol

@J: Mannnn, with no IL it’s so tough. Where are you in the standings? yeah no one too flashy stands out, you probably want a rebounder/big. I’d almost consider al jefferson, but it’s been sooooo quiet with his recovery that it concerns me.

Serge Ibaka is dead to me. Out of curiosity, does anyone know why he has been so dreadful lately? Haven’t watched the Thunder in a while, but he does alright whenever I do. (Maybe I should watch more!)

Thing is, I don’t even need blocks in the one league I have him in. I lead the league in blocks by a large margin and have been trying to shop him/Hassan from day one. I got a few buy-low offers on Hassan, but would rather get rid of Ibaka at this point because he seems to be trending down in dynasty imo. Who would be an acceptable person to trade him for? I’m trying to gauge his value.

My biggest priorities are points, FT%, and 3’s. I’m punting TO and dominate every other category.

@Ryan: Haha, yeah I haven’t watched much OKC lately either. I imagine with Adams and Kanter playing all the 5 minutes and the league going to more stretch 4s, it’s keeping him out on the perimeter. Well Klay Thompson could be interesting but probably wouldn’t happen, I’m pretty anti-McCollum, but he fits those cats nice and has TO issues at times

In a points league, and looking for a player from the Grizz, Cavs, Wizards or Charlotte, (favourable gameweeks in playoffs). Want to trade Julius Randle for a player from one of those teams as he has an unfavourable schedule.

Is there a suitable (and realistic) candidate you can think of from one of those teams that I should try and get Randle for? Any position is fine.

@Gabrusky: Hmmm, so you’re looking at fringey guys. I dunno if I trust Otto Porter’s health at this point. Zach Randolph would work. Maybe BRadley Beal if Beal’s owner is worried about injury – a little risk on your end but could pay off

Hello JB! Great Writeup!!! I swear u never fail to entertainingly inform me. <3
Im in a 10 Cat h2h league (3p%) and I had a now or never trade offer so I wasn't able to consult you 🙁 Can I please know your thoughts about this and whether or not I screwed up.

I traded my
Tyreke Evans (shutdown candidate and I wanted to get rid of him ASAP)
Rodney Hood (with favors back, he is still going to be useful although not as good anymore)
Greg Monroe (Lack of defensive stats gives me stress)

for his
Al Horford (top 15 value acc to roto)
Demarre carroll (Injury.. yea IK but 1.7 steals are great)
Bradley Beal (To make up for Rodney's 3p… I guess)

Firstly, thank God he didn't know about the Tyreke Shutdown (or maybe wasn't fazed by it because without it Tyreke's statistical diversity 15-5-5 1spg 1 3pm would be at least 3rd round).
I might lose 1 or 2 matchups due to this but I'm just going all in for the championship I guess. Get 4th seed but win when my players are back.

@Peaniece:
I also just want to say F*ck you Brad Stevens! I don’t even know what to do with Amir Johnson now… during his peak, the most appealing guy I couldve traded for was rolo but owner didnt bite. And now, I wish just had myles or wcs. Maybe even Len or Tyson Chandler. What a waste really. Good guy, shit coach. What are your thoughts on this player JB? Should I just waive him and stream his spot? (16 teams, 13 players each)

@JB Gilpin:
Thx! Glad I made the right decision!! Phew! Hurt a bit losing Hood cuz of emotional attachment though 😛 Just asking though, without all the injury concerns and risks, would you still take the Horford side?

Would you trade Pau G and Nerlens Noel for Jimmy Buckets? Lowry, Buckets, Kat trifecta seems tasty. I worry though cause Noel is the bomb. Pau G i worry in the playoffs. Been fairly lucky he hasnt been hurt.

@JB Gilpin: Did the trade and got TJones as a plus. Leap of faith right here. I think I’m basically banking on Pau G being hurt. We all are sure Noel is gonna finish strong. But damn, Lowry Buckets Kat combo is taasssstttyyyy

Guys, what do you think, in roto 9 cat 12 team competitive league (yahoo winner) which player should i keep: McRae or Goodwin?
I desperately need a decent pg-sg (the loss of Bledsoe is realy hard to deal with) so i’m probably gonna swap Goodwin for McRae (i see better assists/TO ratio for McRae, splitting minutes with Goodwin at PG and getting some SG minutes too).

@Justin: Hmmm, I like WCS but a typical big and STL don’t look like huge needs. Can you make daily moves? If so, I’m totally fine with streaming the two spots, but ROS I would probably hold them over those wire options

Who should I drop to reinstate Batum from IL? I was thinking of dropping Smart or Tyreke. I got Smart from the wire as insurance for Tyreke but Batum is now playing I need to drop one of them. I was thinking of dropping Tyreke beacuse of the possiblity of a shutdown and I think there will be mins cap on his part. I’m also considering dropping Marcus Morris. Your thoughts? Outside Smart, Tyreke and Morris? is there a good drop candidate from my players?

@sdc: I’d still hold Reke, it’s crazy since I’ve never been a fan but now I’ve gotta convince owners to hold on! Haha. I’d rather lose Morris or Smart. Doesn’t look like scoring is a big need, Morris can probably go as you mention.

was offered kawhi for teage+porzi. i love porzi but haaaate teague… and actually accepted the trade. 16m 11 cat, so a bit risky losing the goose, but i figured my team needs a shakeup, and kawhi IS elite, isn’ he??

@Eric: Hah, I still think Evans is the #1, I get all the concern lately though. Then probably LaVine anddddd WCS. But WCS/AGordon/Taj are all about the same, I could see needs/how much you could stash one changing my answer to any of the 3

Would you trade favors and Wes Matthews for Whiteside? I wanna open up a spot for Schroder but does this trade give me too much injury risk? I could also use the open spot for Carroll or Jefferson when they return. Or do you think I should straight up drop Matt Barnes? Thanks

Need a little breakdown for my Keepers for next year. I can only keep one of the top 13 players in the league for 3 years. I was thinking of keeping Chris Paul Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetekumpo. I wanted to keep Jimmy Butler too but I think if I keep Chris Paul and Damian I won’t have to worry too much on my guards. Also can you take a look at my lineup and see how I should tweak it. I am ranked second in a 12 team league.

Hello how do you rate trading Anthony Davis for CP3 in a 9cat 11 team roto?I’m in need of assists and although im not a fan of giving the Brow i’m growing impatient with the myriad of injuries this year…

Playing first place team this week and will lose 5-4. No shame in that I suppose but reviewing the last 6 weeks, same story. He won the league last year from the 4th seed so we must stop this!!
12 teamer, H2H, redraft, 9 cats league.
In garnering counting stats, I have seen FG% drop to the league average, but worse, turnovers now are a problem. Mudiay and Payton can do that to you but no takers on trade offers for them. Wire thin now so dropping Mudiay is not looking realistic. Is it time to take a hard look at Wall who will generate interest. Shooting 40% with 4 TOs per game over last 30 days. Even worse lately. But can be so dynamic when right. Hold or go fishing? And if so, any general thoughts on a candidate to trade for?

@Johnc: Hah, get your league amped up and paying full attention vs. him! Haha. With your PG depth, I’m fine fishing but definitely getting full value back. Hassan back should help fix FG%. You’d want a low TO big, how about Horford? Although I’d like to fix FT%, maybe Paul+DeAndre for Horford+something and hope his owner is a Clippers fan? Haha

Perfect. I am testing the Tristan waters thinking FT is punted and he could use Mudiay or Payton. Other options albeit worse could be Zack, Jonas, Faried.
The Clippers angle is intriguing. Stay tuned. And thanks.

@Nick: Hey man! Def going LaVine there. Chance to be a starting PG which is always gold in dynasty. I like Winslow too, but yeah I would like that swap and hope #2 rookie you get is a biger prospect, Winslow has a few warts